This offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders allowed several key players with expiring contracts to explore free agency—and ended up losing most of them. General Manager John Spytek likely doesn’t want to see a repeat of that scenario next year.
One prominent player nearing the end of his deal is wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. Coming off a career-best season with 87 receptions for 1,027 yards, Meyers is entering the final year of the three-year contract he signed with the Raiders in 2023.
Given his performance, Meyers has outplayed his current deal and would likely draw significant interest on the open market. The Raiders would be smart to begin contract talks sooner rather than later—and fortunately, there appears to be mutual interest in an extension.
According to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden, Meyers would like to remain with the team beyond 2025.
“He is entering the final year of a three-year, $33 million deal that he signed in 2023, and has a cap hit of $14.98 million in 2025,” McFadden wrote in an April 12 column. “However, Meyers doesn’t have any guaranteed money remaining on his contract.
“Meyers is open to a new deal because he wants to stay in Las Vegas long term, per a source with direct knowledge.”
What Could Meyers Command in Free Agency?
Meyers profiles as a high-end No. 2 receiver, possibly even a low-tier No. 1, and the market for secondary wideouts has been rising. Players like Jaylen Waddle, Tee Higgins, and DeVonta Smith—arguably top-tier No. 2 receivers—are earning or expected to earn north of $25 million annually.
While Meyers might not quite be in that elite group, he’s not far off. If the Raiders could lock him in with a three-year, $60 million deal, it would be a strong value move—especially given the team’s current lack of depth at wide receiver. With new head coach Pete Carroll known for appreciating quality wideouts, there’s reason to believe a deal could happen before the 2025 season kicks off.
Spytek’s Approach to Extensions
One potential hurdle is that both Spytek and Carroll are new to the Raiders organization and haven’t had much time with the current roster. This is Spytek’s first season as a general manager, and he spoke recently about how he approaches extensions.
“You see it all the time—players nearing the end of a contract often become more expensive,” Spytek told ESPN. “When it makes sense to strike a deal, you go for it.”
Still, Spytek emphasized the importance of fully understanding the player before making major financial commitments.
“I’m a big believer in knowing who a guy is before throwing big money at him,” he said. “It takes time, but I’m looking forward to learning more about the players and figuring out how best to build the team.”
Jakobi Meyers seems like the kind of player any team would want to keep: consistent, tough, and without the off-field drama often associated with the position.
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